Mid-Joseon official and founder of the Chilbong-gong branch; pen name Chilbong, known for founding Obong Seowon and bringing back a portrait of Confucius
| Life | 1508 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 강릉 함씨 |
Ham Heon (咸軒, born 1508; date of death unknown) was a mid-Joseon official of the Gangneung clan, with courtesy name Gajung and pen name Chilbong. His father was Ham Jwa-mu, a deputy commander, and his mother was of the Gangneung Choe clan; his wife is given as a daughter of Bak Seung-pil. He is honored as the founder of the Chilbong-gong branch, named for his pen name. Sources differ on his place in the line: one calls him a fifth-generation descendant of Ham Bu-rim, while Wikipedia calls him a fourth-generation descendant of Ham Bu-sil of the Yepan-gong branch.
He passed the licentiate examination in 1531 and the special civil examination in 1534 and became magistrate of Ganseong. As Tongdeok-nang and Yejo jeongnang he is said to have taken part in compiling the Veritable Records of Jungjong. A post as magistrate of Samcheok is also reported, but its date was not confirmed.
He is best remembered for travelling to Beijing in 1552 as secretary of the winter-solstice embassy while director of the Office of Guest Reception, bringing back a portrait of Confucius said to have been painted by Wu Daozi of Tang. To enshrine it he founded Obong Seowon in 1566, where he venerated the portrait and taught younger scholars, leading the effort together with local Confucians in Gangneung. His collected works, the Chilbong munjip, survive, as does the Gangneung Hamssi Chilbong-gongpa bo compiled by his descendants. His tomb and posthumous title were not confirmed.
In 1552 Ham Heon went to Beijing as secretary (seojanggwan), the recorder of the mission, with the winter-solstice embassy. He is said to have brought back a portrait of Confucius attributed to Wu Daozi; the painting's attribution and transmission rest on tradition.
In 1566 he founded Obong Seowon, enshrining the portrait of Confucius and teaching younger scholars. The present state and designation of the academy were not confirmed, so please check with Gangneung city tourism guides before visiting.
His tomb was not confirmed.
His descendants form the Chilbong-gong branch and compiled the Gangneung Hamssi Chilbong-gongpa bo.